Will a USB 3.0 external hard drive work with a Mac?

[ravenvii]

Perhaps a dumb question, but I can't find a straight answer here nor on Google.

I'm looking to get a new external hard drive for Time Machine. But with USB 2.0 being on it's way out, and USB 3.0 on it's way in (and quite possibly LightPeak, but we're getting ahead of ourselves here), I don't want to buy a USB 2.0 hard drive, only to have my next Mac be USB 3.0.

So I'm wondering if I get a USB 3.0 drive, will it work with a USB 2.0 port?

I don't want to bother with a Firewire drive because Apple seems to be slowly killing Firewire off, and I don't want to be left hanging, even though Firewire 800 is the fastest way to connect to my iMac.

 

[ravenvii]

After some further reading, it seems that USB 3.0 *can* be backwards compatible with USB 2.0 - it is up to the manufacturer.

Which makes it more confusing

 

[wpotere]

I wish people wouldn't guess...

Yes, a 3.0 drive will likely be backwards compatible with 2.0.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/fe..._about_usb_30_plus_first_spliced_cable_photos

Just make sure the device that you buy states that it is backwards compatible. It will likely even have a cable in the box for it. You don't have to swap out the logic board to make it work....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822149191

 

[northernmunky]

I just bought one of these for my MBP, works just fine.

http://www.dabs.com/products/western-digital-3tb-my-book-essential-usb-3-0-77W1.html